ING DIRECT Kids Foundation

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Neighborhood Networks provides potential funding sources to help centers develop and improve programs and services. Featured this week is the ING DIRECT Kids Foundation.

The ING DIRECT Kids Foundation is the charitable giving arm of ING in the Americas. The ING family of companies offer a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes annuities, retirement plans, life insurance, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING is recognized as one of the largest companies in the world. Based on market capitalization, ING is one of the 20th largest financial institutions worldwide.

Program Areas: The ING DIRECT Kids Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations in key markets where its employees and customers live and work and where it has a large corporate presence. These communities are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Nonprofit organizations interested in receiving funding should address a variety of community needs and resources and provide unique programming and/or community outreach initiatives directed toward the foundation's primary areas of focus. The areas of focus include:

	Financial Literacy. The ING DIRECT Kids Foundation is especially interested in programming that empowers individuals to take control of their financial futures through education, financial literacy, and financial planning, with special attention to the needs of young people and minorities.
	Children's Education. ING is committed to supporting and improving education for youth in grades K-12, especially children in underserved areas or facing economic disadvantages.
	Diversity. As a multicultural, multinational financial services leader, ING supports diversity initiatives that reflect its commitment to equity and fairness in societies around the world. The ING DIRECT Kids Foundation funds selected diversity initiatives in the Americas.

Targeted Areas: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West.

Eligibility: To be considered for funding, proposals must meet the following criteria:

	The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as deemed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
	The program/initiative fulfills a community need targeting education and/or financial literacy for children (K-12) and/or their immediate families.

The foundation does not grant awards to individuals; private foundations; religious or fraternal organizations and activities; political, legislative, and/or lobbying causes; capital and/or endowment campaigns or building funds; general or administrative operating costs; or organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, or national origin. The foundation does not support fashion shows, pageants, golf tournaments, sports teams, athletic events, or other funding opportunities that do not align with its strategic areas of giving.

Award Amount: Award amounts vary. The foundation does not consider requests under $2,500.

Application Process: The foundation does not accept hardcopy or mailed proposals. All funding requests must be submitted online. To apply:

Step 1. Submit a proposal online. Provide a detailed description of the organization's program or initiative, including the grant amount requested and how the funds will be used. Provide as much detailed information as possible about the program/initiative's purpose, target audience(s), unique points of difference, and metrics for success.

Step 2. Ensure the application is submitted within the dates for each review cycle.

Step 3. If a proposal is approved for funding, the organization will be contacted by a representative of the ING DIRECT Kids Foundation.

Step 4. Before a grant award can be released for payment, the organization will be required to provide:

	A hard copy of the organization's 501(c)(3) letter.
	Any other supporting information as requested by the foundation.

The ING DIRECT Kids Foundation is unable to provide a status on every request. Applicants will be contacted if additional information is needed, and notified in writing of the foundation's final decision.

ING Foundation Grant Guidelines and a Foundation Grant Application can be found online.

Deadlines: The remaining 2009 review and funding cycles are:

	Cycle II: Submission deadline: April 15th (Grant review: May 2009)
	Cycle III: Submission deadline: July 15th (Grant review: August 2009)
	Cycle IV: Submission deadline: October 15th (Grant review: November 2009)

Organizations will be notified of a funding decision four to six weeks after the committee review date. The review schedule may change without notice.

Contact: For more information on the ING DIRECT Kids Foundation, e-mail the foundation or call the ING DIRECT Kids Foundation hotline at (770) 980-6580.